EUGENE, Ore. – Demonstrators in Eugene rallied at the municipal courthouse today protesting what they’re calling the criminalization of mutual aid.
The Eugene chapter of the global organization “Food Not Bombs” serves free meals at the downtown Park Blocks each Friday. According to a social media post by the group, on March 14, a Eugene police officer approached volunteers while they were serving and said they could not return without a permit.
“Every person that lives on the streets has a dozen or more stories of how they overcame barriers only to have five more erected in their face,” said Jesselyn Perkins, a community organizer. “Those living unhoused are receiving criminal charges regularly and has escalated an untenable rate that will eventually land everyone in jail.”…